Porterbrook
Operations Manager
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About Us
At the heart of the rail network for over three decades, Porterbrook is the UK's leading rolling stock financier and asset management company with 4000 vehicles in our diverse portfolio of passenger and freight trains.
By working together with our partners, we deliver high-quality, agile rolling stock solutions that ensure the railway remains safe, reliable, sustainable, and fit for the future.
We don't just provide trains - we provide a customer-focused platform for long-term success. Since 1994, Porterbrook has invested over £4bn in new rolling stock including £1bn of capital in new trains, fleet upgrades, traction innovation, and rail infrastructure in the last five years.
With our strategic and empathetic funding solutions, we're actively looking to invest a further £1bn in the years ahead.
About The Team
Our Long Marston Operations Team provides onsite logistical solutions and support services, tailored to our internal and external customers' needs. The successful candidate will be joining a dynamic, professionally trained depot team.
About The Role
A great opportunity for an exceptional Operations Manager to join the Porterbrook team.
Key Responsibilities:
- Management of the LM RIC rail operations team, ensuring effective utilization of competent resources to safely deliver rail operations plans.
- Development of rosters for the rail operations team, ensuring sufficient available resources to deliver operations plans at all times.
- Management of welfare of rail operations team members in line with company procedures.
- Lead the planning of all rail operations carried out at LM RIC, ensuring plans are suitably prioritized, and effectively visualized and communicated to the rail operations team and all other affected stakeholders on a daily basis.
- Chair daily and weekly rail operations planning meetings.
- Work with the Operations Trainer & Assessor to ensure that rail operations team members have the required competence to carry out the full range of their duties and that such competence is maintained at all times.
- Work with the Operations Safety & Standards Manager to implement the fatigue risk management system (FRMS) to proactively monitor levels of fatigue within the rail operations team, and enable timely intervention to mitigate associated risk.
- Work with the Operations Safety & Standards Manager to ensure that operational standards, procedures, and rules are fit for purpose and are effectively implemented, regularly reviewed, and updated to incorporate best practice.
- Carry out operational audits and quality checks to proactively monitor levels of compliance with operational standards, procedures, and rules - and to identify areas of good practice.
- Develop and implement a suite of KPIs to enable proactive monitoring of operational delivery performance - delivering or exceeding against agreed targets.
- Management of capacity planning within all yards and sidings across the site to support pipeline planning.
- Act as the main point of contact for external rail operations customers/ stakeholders and third-party suppliers.
- Gain, and maintain depot driving and shunting competence to enable such duties to be performed as a contingency measure as required.
- Ensure all operational safety events and near misses are reported and investigated in a timely manner.
- Assist the Operations Safety & Standards Manager with the production, review, and update of risk assessments to cover the full scope of rail operations at LM RIC to ensure associated safety risk is managed to a level As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP).
- Ensure operations notices, bulletins, and urgent safety alerts are produced and briefed to all affected parties in a timely manner - and displayed on the operations notice board.
- Provide coaching and mentoring to the Operations Team Leader to support continued development and enable robust operations management cover capability during periods of absence.
- Responsible for the delivery of operations team actions and recommendations following audit, inspections, and investigation findings.
- Attend rail operations meetings with and/or on behalf of the General Manager - Operations & Safety as required.
- Carry out projects as required by the General Manager - Operations & Safety as required.
- Source external rail operations support as required.
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About You
Skills / Experience
What you'll need to have:
- Thorough knowledge of training, driving, and shunting techniques within depots, yards & sidings.
- Previous line management of rail operations teams - including train drivers and/or shunters.
- Formal management qualification (Desirable).
- IOSH Managing Safely (Desirable).
- Trained Accident Investigator.
- Personal Track Safety (Desirable).
- Behavioural Based Safety training (Desirable).
- Excellent knowledge of railway operations (Mainline & Depot).
- Conversant with the Railway Rule Book.
- Familiar with relevant Health & Safety Legislation and Rail Industry Standards.
- Knowledge of ORR guidance document 'Managing Staff Competence - Railway Safety Publication 1'.
- Excellent knowledge of non-technical skills in a railway operational environment.
It would be great if you also had:
- Extensive experience in performing rail operations including train driving (mainline & depot), and shunting.
- Previous experience in leading/ managing rail operations teams.
- Demonstrable experience of delivering a positive and sustaining safe delivery culture in an operational environment.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to inspire teams.
A Great Place to Work
We have a collaborative work ethic with our team members across the company, and with our customers and suppliers. In Derby, London, and the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre, we have the right people, with the right skills, in the right jobs, all striving to drive excellence through strong partnerships that create value for all.
We promote a high-performing culture where everyone is supported to achieve their goals, both personally and professionally. We have a close-knit, diverse team that looks out for each other, and supports our colleagues, communities, and the next generation of the railway family.
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In recognition of this, we have been awarded:
- Investors in People Gold accreditation.
- Investors in People 'We Invest in Wellbeing' Gold accreditation.
- Engineering and Safety Award Railway Innovation 2025.
These accolades reflect the company's dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace where employees are empowered to thrive.
To learn more about why Porterbrook is a great place to work, please visit our website and follow us on social media.
Our Benefits
We are seeking the very best talent to join the team, and offer an excellent salary, along with bonus and benefits. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a great organization with outstanding people and a road map for the future to grow and develop the business. Some of our benefits are listed below:
- 1.5x employer contributory pension scheme.
- Financial wellbeing support.
- Flexible working.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay.
- Enhanced Armed Forces policies.
- Ongoing support with professional and personal development.
- Long service awards.
- Porterbrook Star awards.
- Healthcare cash plan.
- 25 days' annual leave + Bank Holidays + option to buy and sell up to 5 days' additional leave.
- Additional days annual leave for long service.
- Free parking and electric vehicle charging are available at our Derby office.
- Season ticket loan.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
Should you be suitable for the role, the full benefits package will be discussed in more detail during your screening call.
Equal Opportunities
We aspire to have a diverse and inclusive workplace and strongly encourage suitably qualified applicants from a wide range of backgrounds to apply and join us on our journey.
Accessibility
We're committed to helping you perform at your best throughout the recruitment process. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please get in touch with us at recruitment@porterbrook.co.uk. We'll be happy to discuss how we can assist.
To Apply
Please follow the link at the top of this page to send your CV and a covering email with full details of why you would be a great addition to the Porterbrook team, along with details of your current salary and notice period.
This vacancy may close at any time once sufficient applications have been received. Early submission of your application is therefore encouraged.
What Happens Next?
Once your application has been reviewed, our recruitment team will be in contact.
Our interview process is typically two stages to ensure a thorough evaluation while providing a chance for you to showcase your skills and fit for our team.
This approach allows us to engage in meaningful discussions, assess your qualifications more comprehensively, and ensure a mutual alignment with our company values. If you're ready to take the next step in your career, we look forward to meeting you!
Our People
To find out more about our people and partnerships, click the following link: https://www.porterbrook.co.uk/about/our-people
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